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INpiAN REPORT, 



Report of the Committee of the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in 
Philadelphia, appointed for the Gradual Civilization, ^cc, of the 
Indian Natives, presented to the Meeting 4<th mo. 21 st, iS-li, and 
directed to be printed for the use of the members. 



TO THE YEARLY MEETING. 

The Committee charged with promoting the Gradual Improvement and Civilization of the Indian 
Natives, Report: 

That although they have given the usual attention to this interesting concern, there are but few 
subjects in their operations since the last report which require notice. The Indians have been in a 
very unsettled condition during the past year, in consequence of the embarrassment and distress 
produced by the ratification of the treaty, and their uncertainty as to the best course to be pur- 
sued by them in their trying and perplexing circumstances. They still cling to the hope that they 
shall be able to ward off the calamity which threatens them, either through the favourable disposi- 
tion of the new administration and senate to give their case a rehearing, or by an appeal to the 
Supreme Court of the United States. Small as the hope afforded by these sources may appear 
to a disinterested observer, they are buoyed up by it, and seem as unwilling as ever to look 
toward relinquishing their present homes. 

In a communication addressed to the^Committee, dated, Tunesassah, 5 mo. 24th, 1840, signed by 
ten chiefs, they say: " Although the information of the ratification of the treaty is distressing to us, 
yet it is a satisfaction to hear from you, and to learn that you still remember us in our troubles, 
and are disposed to advise and assist us. The intelligence of the confirmation of the treaty caused 
many of our women to shed tears of sorrow. We are sensible that we stand in need of the advice 
of our friends. Our minds are unaltered on the subject of emigration." Another, dated Cold Spring, 
12th mo. 8th, 1840, holds this language: "Brothers, we continue to feel relative to the treaty as 
we have ever felt. We cannot regard it as an act of our nation, or hold it to be binding on us. We 
still consider that in justice the land is at this time as much our own as ever it was. We have 
done nothing to forfeit our right to it ; and have come to a conclusion to remain upon it as long as 
we can enjoy it in peace." " We trust in the Great Spirit: to Him we submit our cause." 

A leiior from irie Senecas residing ai Tonawanda, was addressed to the Committee, f rom which 
the following extracts are taken : 

*' By the help of the Great Spirit we have met in open council this 23d day of the 5th month, 
1840, for the purpose of deliberating on the right course for us to pui'sue under the late act of the 
government of the United States relating to our lands. Brothei-s, we are in trouble; we have 
been told that the president has ratified a treaty by which these lands are sold from our possession. 
We look to you and solicit your advice and your sympathy under the accumulating difficulties 
that now surround us. We feel more than ever, our need of the help of the great and good Spirit, 
to guide us aright. May his counsel ever preserve and direct us all in true wisdom. 

" It is known to you, brothers, that at different times our people have been induced to cede, by 
stipulated treaties, to the government of the United States, various tracts of our territory, until it 
is so reduced that it barely affords us a home. We had hoped by these liberal concessions to 
secure the quiet and unmolested possession of this small residue, but we have abundant reason to 
fear that we have been mistaken. The agent and surveyor of a company of land speculators, 
known as the Ogden Company, have been on here to lay out our land into lots, to be sold from us 
to the whites. We have protested against it, and have forbidden their proceeding. 

" Brothers, what we want is that you should intercede with the United States government on 
our behalf. We do not want to leave our lands. We are willing that the emigrating party 
should sell out their rights, but we are not willing that they should sell ours." 

Brothers, we want the president of the United States to know that we are for peace ; that we 
only ask the possession of our just rights. We have kept in good faith all our agreements with the 
government. In our innocence of any violation we ask its protection. In our weakness we look 
to it for justice and mercy. We desire to live upon our lands in peace and harmony. We love 
Tonaw anda. ii is the residue left us of the land of our forefathers. We have no wish to leave 
it. Here are our cultivated fields, our houses, our wives and children, and our firesides — and here 
we wish to lay our bones in peace." 

" Brothers, in conclusion, we desire to express our sincere thanks to you for your friendly 
assistance in times past, and at the same time earnestly solicit your further attention and advice. 
Brothers, may the Great Spirit befriend you all — farewell." 

Desirous of rendering such aid as might be in our power, a correspondence has been held with 
some members of Congress, on the subject of the treaty, and other matters connected with it; and 
recently, two of our number visited Washington, and were assured by the present secretary of 
war, under whose immediate charge the Indian affairs are placed, that it was his determination 
and that of the other officers of the government, to give to the treaty and the circumstances attend- 
ing its procurement, a thorough examination ; and to adopt such a course respecting it as justice 
and humanity to the Indians would dictate. 



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The friends who have for several years resided at Tunesassaii, still continue to occupy tlic farm, 
and have charge of the saw and grist mills, and other improvements. The farm during the past 
year has yielded about thirty-five tons of hay, two hundred bushels of potatoes, one hundred 
bushels of oats, and one hundred bushels of apples. Notwithstanding the unsctllement produced 
by the treaty during the past season, the Indians have raised an adecjuate supply of provisions to 
keep thcMi comfortably during the year; and they manifest an increased desire to avoid the use of 
ardent spirits, and to have their children educated. In their letter of the V2,\\\ month last, the chiefs 
say, " We are more engaged to have our children educated than we have heretofore been. There 
are at this time three schools in operation on this reservation for the instruction of our youth." 

Our friend, Joseph Batly, in a letter dated 28th of 2nd mo. last, says, " The Indians have held 
several temperance councils this winter. The chiefs, (with the exception of two who were not 
present,) have all signed a pledge to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors; and appear 
engaged to bring about a reform among their people; but the influence of the whites among them 
is prejudicial to their improvement in this and other respects." 

By direction of the Committee, 

THOMAS WISTAR,Clk. 

Philadelphia, Ath month, I5lh, 1811. 



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